Plateauing on your climbing project is never fun and we’ve all been there. Whether you keep falling in the exact same spot over and over again or even start regressing, plateauing is extremely frustrating and can lead you to question your fitness and abilities. Climbing trainer Alli Rainey is writing a series of articles on her website allirainey.com about what do when you are confronted with this kind of redpointing plateau.
In her first installment, she provides the advice that unfortunately no one who is stuck project a route really want to hear: REST!
“Taking time off might be the very last thing that a plateauing project climber might want to consider doing, but for me, it’s become one of the first lines of defense when a project seems to come within reach for a day or two, and then that reach starts to feel like it’s slipping away. The classic response to diminishing returns on a project is to start putting in more attempts on the project and refusing to take days off from a set-in-stone climbing schedule, but this can be entirely counterproductive and can lead to even more frustration and greater diminishing returns.” – Alli Rainey
However, Alli’s suggestions are more nuanced than simply telling you to take a break. She goes on to point out that, even though we all try, it is impossible for anyone to maintain a peak level of performance all the time and time away from a project is simply accepting that part of climbing is riding the peaks and valleys of performance.
Take a look at the complete article by clicking through bellow. Whether your are currently struggling on a project or not, it is a good reminder about not forcing things in your climbing and maintaining a balanced approach.
Click Here: Plateauing on Your Climbing Project? Try This!
(photo: Louis Arevalo; courtesy of allirainey.com)
Other Articles You Might Like:
- The Grip Release/Relax Trick (aka Avoiding Overgripping in Climbing)
- TBP 012 :: Alli Rainey on Training, Cardio, and Body Weight
- The Back Step, Footwork Technique- Alli Rainey
- Emily Harrington on Getting Back in Shape after A Long Break
Leave A Comment